1
as in controllers
a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system
the controls for the player are well marked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in hands
the ability to direct the course of something
after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in operations
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something
control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in powers
the right or means to command or control others
teachers are responsible for the students under their control
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in regulates
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
you must learn to control your temper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contains
to gain emotional or mental control of
he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in rules
to exercise authority or power over
circumstances often control the choices we make in life
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in operates
to look after and make decisions about
during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of controls
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
China places export controls on rare earth minerals The new rules curb the supply chain for the semiconductors that are used in phones, computers, AI data centers, cars, solar panels, and other IT kit.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
That type of weedkiller controls all grasses without contaminating the soil.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
The giant software company that Larry Ellison founded and still controls has had an incredible 2025 (up 82% year to date), experiencing a massive increase in new business from the artificial-intelligence boom.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
OpenAI included numerous guardrails with Sora, including moderation, restrictions on scammy, violent and pornographic material, watermarks and controls over how one's likeness is used.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
These additional export controls underscore the risks of relying on a single country for our critical minerals needs.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Trump’s announcement is tied to Beijing ramping up export controls on its critical rare earths, which are needed to produce many electronics.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
To implement explicit content settings, turn on or off parental controls in device settings.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Nino Paoli, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Hamas controls the government in the enclave.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
China controls about 70% of the global supply of rare earths minerals, which are critical for high-tech industries, including automobiles, defense and semiconductors.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Dolan, whose family controls the shares of AMC Networks and other media and entertainment entities, was named CEO in early 2023.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Voice controls with Alexa or Google add convenience, while motion alerts hit your phone fast enough to actually matter.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
China controls the supply of most of the planet’s rare earths, and also most of the world’s capacity to process and separate the minerals.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2025
The Congressional Review Act is one of those policy tools that lawmakers typically use at the start of a new session when a recent election has flipped who controls the Congress and the White House.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced in the body by the brain’s pineal gland which partially controls the sleep-wake cycle.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
This allows customers to innovate with sophisticated AI capabilities for robot controls and perception.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
China places export controls on rare earth minerals The new rules curb the supply chain for the semiconductors that are used in phones, computers, AI data centers, cars, solar panels, and other IT kit.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
That type of weedkiller controls all grasses without contaminating the soil.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
The giant software company that Larry Ellison founded and still controls has had an incredible 2025 (up 82% year to date), experiencing a massive increase in new business from the artificial-intelligence boom.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
OpenAI included numerous guardrails with Sora, including moderation, restrictions on scammy, violent and pornographic material, watermarks and controls over how one's likeness is used.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
These additional export controls underscore the risks of relying on a single country for our critical minerals needs.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Trump’s announcement is tied to Beijing ramping up export controls on its critical rare earths, which are needed to produce many electronics.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
To implement explicit content settings, turn on or off parental controls in device settings.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Trump had said earlier on social media that there didn’t seem to be a reason to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping anymore because of export controls the country placed on rare earths.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Hamas controls the government in the enclave.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
China controls about 70% of the global supply of rare earths minerals, which are critical for high-tech industries, including automobiles, defense and semiconductors.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Dolan, whose family controls the shares of AMC Networks and other media and entertainment entities, was named CEO in early 2023.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Voice controls with Alexa or Google add convenience, while motion alerts hit your phone fast enough to actually matter.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
China controls the supply of most of the planet’s rare earths, and also most of the world’s capacity to process and separate the minerals.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2025
The Congressional Review Act is one of those policy tools that lawmakers typically use at the start of a new session when a recent election has flipped who controls the Congress and the White House.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced in the body by the brain’s pineal gland which partially controls the sleep-wake cycle.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controls
Noun
-
Airlines around the country are experiencing flight delays and cancellations owing to the short staffing of air-traffic controllers amid the government shutdown.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
-
When an incident arises, such as Burbank Airport recently reporting that no controllers were available, the command center issues an alert stating that any aircraft inbound to Burbank must divert to an alternate airport, and any aircraft that has not yet taken off will be held on the ground.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
According to Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, eating with your hands is hygienic (after having washed your hands, of course) and beneficial to your senses and digestion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Immediately rub your hands with olive oil to remove most of the capsaicin, and then wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The announcement was made by Andy Yeatman, CEO of Miraculous Corp USA and global operations.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The money will support operations at Heavenly Home, a nonprofit residential facility in Mission Viejo that provides 24-hour care and housing for residents facing terminal illnesses.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Trump and Vought claim sweeping powers to cut spending without Congress, despite laws to the contrary.—
Steven T. Dennis,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Luminate’s streaming, sales and airplay data powers Billboard’s charts.—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Hill’s Zach Schonfeld reports that several justices were skeptical of Colorado’s argument that the ban only regulates professional conduct.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Melatonin Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced in the body that regulates your circadian rhythm.—
Ayesha Gulzar,
Verywell Health,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This publication contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services.—
Lara Abrash,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Eddington contains a number of images, story points and themes that struck a chord at the time of its theatrical release in July 2025, but a number of them have proven to be quite prophetic of more recent events within America’s fraught political landscape.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the Court rules that majority-minority districts are constitutionally suspect, challenges could follow in states that recently redrew maps under Section 2 settlements.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Miami rules the state of Florida Miami, clearly, has bigger aspirations after a strong start, but don’t overlook the significance of Saturday’s rivalry win and everything else that has transpired so far.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Today, Hamas operates without a coherent leadership, a reality its remaining figures seem unwilling to confront.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Airports pick a side TSA owns and operates some of the video monitors at airports which have been added to try to expedite the screening process by displaying reminders and sometimes include DHS messages.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controls. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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